Bob Sayer has been inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame for his contributions to the growth of the game. Photo: Soccer Canada
If you’ve played soccer on the South Shore you’ve likely run into Bob Sayer at some point.
His long career has just been recognized by the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame who have inducted him in the builders category.
He moved to Lockeport in 1973 from London, England to take a teaching position at the local high school.
In his application, he had mentioned he coached soccer back in England and upon his arrival, he was asked by the school’s principal to coach both teams.
“That caught me by surprise but then he explained they had a girls team as well,” Sayer said.
He took the job, and after a while, he says the girls on were so amazing they “converted” him and he decided to focus on women’s soccer.
That experience was the launch board for a historic career that has helped women’s soccer across the country.
Alongside founding and coaching the Lunenburg Lasers SC, he was part of the committee that hosted the 1982 Eastern Canadian Championship and 1983 National Championships for the Jubilee Trophy. From there, he continued to help promote the establishment of Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team, which soon held its first national camp in July 1986 during Sayer’s first year as the Canada Soccer Vice-President.
“I had no idea when I went down this path that the women’s team would go on to get such impressive results.”
The Women’s National Team is now among the best in the world often finding themselves in deep tournament runs including their bronze medal finishes at the last two Olympics.
Sayer says he was honoured when he heard that he was being considered and he hopes to attend the induction ceremony next year in New Brunswick.
“I feel honoured to be recognised by the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame. I was fortunate enough to be able to contribute to the world’s great game and its growth in Canada. From establishing a network of National Championships and National Teams to supporting the global drive for a FIFA Women’s World Cup to the establishment of the first Women’s National Team, the Jubilee Trophy finals, and the development programs initiated for women’s coaches and referees. We also had the FIFA U-16 World Tournament which established Canada as a respected host and we brought about a professional league that underlined the development of Canadian players.
“It has all been a pleasure and I look forward to watching the game grow even further with the hosting of the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada.”
Sayer says he’s mostly retired from the game now but still keeps an eye on the ongoing growth of soccer around the country.
